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Le Roy

Facebook group set up to support family of young drowning victim

By Howard B. Owens

A Facebook group has been created to support the family of Andrea Lynn Mangefrida, the 3-year-old Le Roy girl who drowned Saturday at a residence in Alexander.

Nearly 120 people have joined the group so far to express their sympathies to the Mangefrida family. There's also a PayPal donation link on the site.

M. Gary Guiste appears to have formed the group and writes, "This group is set up for the sole purpose of assisting the Andrea Lynn Mangefrida family in easing the financial burdens of medical costs and the financial burdens associated with the tragic loss of Andrea Mangefrida."

Guiste's note indicates that Andrea was an autistic child.

In an unfortunate accident that is the #1 cause of death in autistics, Andrea was taken from her family too prematurely. As a group, we want nothing more to have her back safe in her family's arms.

As a community of friends and families of police/law enforcement, EMS and fire professionals we stand ready to help the Mangefrida family with anything we can do.

Police Beat: Three arrests for alleged petit larceny

By Howard B. Owens

Benjamin Gove Evans, 22, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Evans is accused of shoplifting at Kmart in April.

Kristen L. Brightenfield, 18, of 6559 Main Road, Stafford, is charged with petit larceny. Brightenfield is accused of stealing a box of hair dye from Tops Market during the early morning hours of Wednesday.

Micaheal J. Elmore, 20, of Sumner Road, Darien, is charged with two counts of petit larceny. Elmore was arrested by the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office following an investigation into thefts in Orangeville. Elmore was identified as the suspect with the help of a pawnshop in Batavia. Another piece of stolen property was recovered in the Village of Attica.

Diane E. Winger, 46, of 329 Eva Road, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, is charged with driving while ability impaired and failure to keep right. Winger was stopped at 11:43 p.m., Sunday, on Snipery Road in Darien by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Le Roy girl drowned in pool in Alexander on Saturday

By Howard B. Owens

A 3-year-old Village of Le Roy girl died Saturday evening after being found unresponsive in the pool of a relative's house on Broadway Road in Alexander.

Alexander fire and Darien fire and ambulance responded to the scene at 7:09 p.m. as friends and family members performed CPR on the child.

Darien ambulance transported the girl, Andrea L. Mangefrida, to UMMC. She was then flown by Mercy Flight to Women and Children's Hospital in Buffalo.

Andrea was pronounced dead at 12:45 p.m., Sunday.

The girl's parents are Philip and Christina Mangefrida, Village of Le Roy.

The Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the drowning.

Police Beat: Central Avenue woman accused of scratching paint on car

By Howard B. Owens

Alicia M. Lyons, 31, of 17 1/2 Central Ave., Batavia, is  charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Lyons was allegedly observed scratching the paint of a vehicle parked off of Central Avenue. Lyons was taken into custody by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Timothy Garrick Fitzgerald, 45, of Windsor Drive, North Tonowanda, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to signal lane change and moving from lane unsafely. Fitzgerald was stopped at 9:53 p.m., Friday, in the area of 4016 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Graff.

Sarah White Gilmartin, 35, of Norwalk Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, dazzling headlights and no/insufficient tail lamps. Gilmartin was stopped at 2:10 a.m., Aug. 27, on Main Road, Pembroke, by Deputy James Diehl.

Russell R. Miles, 43, of 12 Lake St., Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt. Miles was arrested following a report of a disturbance at 12 Lake St. Miles was allegedly involved in the disturbance with a person who was the subject of a stay-away court order. Miles was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Brett A. Simcick, 27, of Keeney Road, Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI. Simcick was stopped by Le Roy Police in the early morning hours Saturday for allegedly failing to stop for a stop sign on Hilltop Drive, Village of Le Roy. Simcick was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Matthew Alvin Johnson, 28, of Prestige Crossing Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unlawful possession of marijuana and no plate lamps. Johnson was stopped at 1:46 a.m., Sunday, on Seven Springs Road, Batavia, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Possible vehicle fire on westbound Thruway

By Billie Owens

A possible vehicle fire is reported on the westbound Thruway near mile marker 384.0. Le Roy Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The vehicle reportedly went off the roadway and then began to smell like something was burning inside.

Dispatch advises that the accident happened awhile ago and now the driver is complaining of pain.

UPDATE 7:39 p.m.: The Le Roy chief put his units back in service, since apparently there was no fire.

UPDATE 7:52 p.m.: Mercy medics are headed to UMMC with the driver.

A Letter from Jackie Whiting for County Legislature District 5

By Jennifer Keys
Please bear with me. I know it seems kind of early, but Jackie shared with me today this letter that she’s been working on. I could not contain my excitement about sharing it with everyone and fortunately she doesn’t mind. I’m very proud of the work Jackie has done and am proud to have served on many committees with her. Please bear with her as she works on creating her e-mail.

As always, Thank You for reading.

Thank you, Howard, for hosting!

Dear Fellow Le Royans,

Happy Labor Day! We mark this holiday by remembering workers and their struggles for a fair and equitable work place and the fight for living wage jobs. It is exactly what made Le Roy a great place to live for the past couple of generations. It also marks the end of summer and beginning of the school year. For me it has a more personal meaning this year as we send our youngest son, Cal off to college.

But, as melancholy as it is to send off my youngest, it is exactly the right time for me to run to be your next County Legislator. I have spent the last 30+ years involved in many community service organizations -- mostly to benefit and enhance children in our community. I am so proud and humbled to have recently been named Le Royan of the Year. I love Le Roy so it will be a privilege to serve for the betterment of our community on a different level.

While my degree and work has been in Human Services, I am not exempt from business experience. My husband Reid's law firm is a small business that we have built together. His firm has created jobs for Le Royans as well as served our citizens when they are in need of legal work. We also know and appreciate the challenges of making payroll as well as the bureaucratic stumbling blocks associated with self employment. I also serve on the Le Roy Business Council. For this reason and because small businesses are the fastest growing sector of job growth in this economy, I will be a strong advocate as your next Legislator.

Times are extremely challenging and it is my intent to take a no-nonsense, can-do approach to county government. I have never been timid and am certainly not afraid to ask either "why?" or "why not?" when faced with decisions that have an impact on citizens and tax payers. My 12+ years serving on the Le Roy School Board has given me experience in important decision making for the public interest. I believe that the Legislature has a responsibility to the people to implement oversight and accountability and I am the right person to challenge the status quo.

I am humbly asking for your support on November 8th. I am endorsed by the Democratic Party and the Working Families Party, lines A and E. I appreciate your confidence and I appreciate your vote.

Sincerely,

Jackie

contact me at Jackie4LeRoy@gmail.com

Police Beat: Forgery charge brought against Le Roy man

By Howard B. Owens

Raymond S. Woeller, 51, of 66 Lake St., Apt. 2, Le Roy, is charged with possession of a forged instrument, 2nd, and grand larceny, 4th. Woeller is accused of forging a friend's signature and withdrawing money from that person's bank account. Woeller was picked up at 11:26 p.m., Wednesday, on a warrant out of Batavia City Court. He was jailed without bail.

A 16-year-old of Mechanic Street, Byron, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The youth allegedly ran away from a foster home with two juvenile females.  The youth was jailed on $250 bail.

A 16-year-old of Spencer Court, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of stealing $52.58 worth of merchandise from Kmart.

Russell Ray Miles, 43, of East Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Miles is accused of pushing another person during an argument in the parking lot of the Le Roy Country Club. The incident was reported at 8:11 p.m., Wednesday.

Kayla L. Rapone, 20, of 24 Holland Ave., Batavia, is charged with person under 21 purchasing alcohol. Rapone is accused of using a fake ID to purchase beer at a local store.

Kurt H. Hawkins, 18, of 3 Tracy Ave., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Hawkins is accused of punching another person in the face.

Le Roy Police responding to report of fight on Church Street near footbridge

By Howard B. Owens

There is a reported fight, both verbal and physical, on Church Street in Le Roy near the footbridge.

One subject may need medical attention.

It is unclear how many subjects were involved, though it appears the fight is over.

Police officer on scene reports, "There's a bunch of people here on the footbridge."

Police say man falsely reported a robbery in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy Police have arrested a man who reported that he was robbed and that a suspect was chasing him with a gun.

The man later admitted that he fabricated the story.

Charged with falsely reporting an incident, 3rd, was Donald J. Pettit, 27, of Friendship.

Pettit allegedly called 9-1-1 in the early morning hours of Sunday and made the report.

He was arraigned in Town of Le Roy Court and released on an appearance ticket.

Police Beat: Golf cart driver in a 'clown suit' nabbed by law enforcement

By Howard B. Owens

James R. Straub, 37, of Stoneham, Mass., is charged with DWI and refusal to take a breath test. Straub is accused of driving a golf cart on a public road while under the influence of alcohol. Witnesses contacted dispatch at 8:40 p.m. Sunday to report that a man in a "clown suit" (as the photo shows, more like a wild golf outfit) had taken off in a cart owned by Terry Hills and was heading toward the City of Batavia on Clinton Street Road. Straub was eventually located at a residence in the city where he was taken into custody by Deputy Bradley Mazur. Straub was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and committed to the Genesee County Jail without bail. Straub is reportedly out on $500. Batavia PD assisted in the investigation.

Douglas Brian Uberty, 39, of South Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with two counts of disorderly conduct. Uberty was taken into custody by Deputy James Diehl following an investigation into reports of a man in the Target store at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 17, attempting to look up the shorts and skirts of women in the store. Uberty is also accused of peeping over the wall of a fitting room in the women's department.

Shawn Dowain Phillips, 18, of Bartlett Street, Rochester, is charged harassment as a violation. Phillips is accused of dragging a person outside and punching the person in the face. The incident was reported at 1:44 a.m., Sunday.

Rexine Evelyn Johnson, 45, of Seldon Road, Le Roy, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Johnson is accused of pushing a female friend twice.

Vincente Antonio Torres, 20, of Willowen Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWAI, speeding (63 mph in a 40 mph zone) and driving out of class. Torres was stopped at 2:48 a.m., Saturday, on Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Ryan Andrew Grady, 20, of Pearl Street, Lancaster, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Grady was found to allegedly possess marijuana while in the parking lot at Darien Lake at 11 p.m., Aug. 7, by Deputy Brian Thompson. 

A 17-year-old of Black Street, Sloan, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was charged after allegedly being found with marijuana while in a car parked at Darien Lake Theme Park by Deputy Brian Thompson.

Paul Anthony Swartz, 36, of Route 20 A, Orchard Park, is charged with unlawful imprisonment, 2nd. Swartz was arrested in Darien on a warrant out of Tonawanda. Swartz was turned over to Town of Tonawanda Police.

Charnika Darshae Givens, 19, of Northumberland Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with petit larceny. Givens is accused of shoplifting from the gift shop at Darien Lake Theme Park at 5:30 p.m., Aug. 6.

Man staggering in the roadway in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A possibly sick or intoxicated man is reportedly staggering in the middle of the roadway, thereby creating a traffic hazard, near 110 Munson St. in Le Roy. He's walking toward Gilbert Street. Le Roy Police Department is responding.

UPDATE 9:02 p.m.: The subject is now on Gilbert Street and an officer is at the scene.

Explosion in garage causes possible structure fire in Bergen

By Billie Owens

An explosion in a garage located at 7665 Swamp Road in Bergen has sparked a possible structure fire. The garage, which is attached to the house, is full of smoke. Bergen and Le Roy fire departments are responding along with Mercy medics.

UPDATE 3:47 p.m.: A second platoon of firefighters from the Town of Batavia is called to standby in its fire hall. National Grid is called to the scene. The Bergen fire chief has called for power saws and an infrared camera. Brockport is called to fill in at Bergen's hall.

UPDATE 4 p.m.: The homeowner asked about the status of the fire. The chief says "It doesn not appear to have made it into the house yet." An engine and more manpower from the Town of Batavia is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 6:52 p.m. (by Howard): The house is a total loss. The amount of items stored inside kept firefighters from entering the house and the attack was conducted strictly from the outside. While the fire is now smoldering with much of the house still standing, the only way, according to Chief Paul Cummings, to ensure the fire is completely out is to knock down the structure with a backhoe. That process started around 6 p.m. We'll have complete coverage later tonight. 

UPDATE 8:47 p.m.: Swamp Road is reopened.

Photo submitted by reader Doug Waite.

Quick response prevents barn fire from spreading

By Howard B. Owens

A fire that destroyed a barn on West Bergen Road, Le Roy, on Friday night, remains under investigation.

It was spotted by a neighbor just before 8:20 p.m., who alerted the owner, Brian Boneberg, who then called 9-1-1.

The blaze was small when it was fist spotted, but spread quickly.  

By the time Le Roy Chief Mike Sheflin arrived on scene, the barn was fully involved.

The structure was less than 100 feet from a house and Sheflin praised the volunteer crews who kept the flames from spreading.

"We had a fast response from our firefighters and we were able to control the fire quickly," Sheflin said.

Strong water flow from the nearby hydrants also helped the responding departments swiftly beat back the flames, Sheflin said.

No injuries were reported.

Besides Le Roy, responders included Pavilion and Caledonia. Stafford filled in at Le Roy's hall and York filled in at Pavilion's hall.

Le Roy Ambulance was also at the scene.

(Initial Report)

Photo below submitted by a reader.

 

Fully involved barn fire reported in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A fully involved barn fire is reported in Le Roy at 8029 W. Bergen Road. All available Le Roy equipment is called in, including mutual assistance from Bergen and Pavilion fire departments. Le Roy medics are also en route.

A 16-gallon oxygen tank is reported to be inside, according to the homeowner.

UPDATE 8:25 p.m.: An engine from Churchville is called to fill in at Bergen's fire hall. Monroe County Water Authority is to be notified that some of their hydrants will be used in fighting the blaze.

UPDATE 8:29 p.m.: An engine from Stafford is called to fill in at Le Roy's fire hall.

UPDATE 8:43: A pumper truck from Caledonia is on scene, too, and fire police are mustering to handle nearby roadways.

UPDATE 11:52 p.m.: Le Roy Fire back in service.

Police Beat: Le Roy resident accused of two 'Leandra's Law' violations

By Howard B. Owens

Sara K.L. McCabe, 26, of Lincoln Avenue, Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated DWI (children under age 15 in the car), driving without an interlock device and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. McCabe was stopped by Le Roy Police on Thursday after a witness complained of seeing a person in a car consuming alcohol. McCabe was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Geoffrey Charles Saxton, 28, of North Byron Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08, failure to reduce speed and moving from lane unsafely. Saxton was charged following a one-car accident at Mullen and Morganville roads, Stafford, at 11:59 p.m., Monday.

Shuvon J. Williams, 36, of 5 Lewis Place, Batavia, and Rochelle V. Tomlin, 35, of 2 Lewis Place, Batavia, are charged with petit larceny. Both are accused of shoplifting from Tops Market on Wednesday.

Barbara Jean Alessi, 52, of Rand Street, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant stemming from a petit larceny charge. Alessi is accused of stealing from a business on Lewiston Road. She was taken into custody by the Rochester Police Department and turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.

Le Roy police warn of bottle bombs on the west side of the village

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy police suspect somebody has been making "bottle bombs" and letting them explode in an area on the west side of the village.

An investigation began after complaints of gunshots or fireworks heard on the west side of the village.

"Bottle bombs," also known as "works bombs," can be exceptionally dangerous and the Le Roy Police Department is looking for information to help determine who is making them.

Officials also warn residents not to approach any sports drink or 2-liter pop bottles found laying on the ground.

Touching a fully charged bomb can cause it to detonate.

Bottle bombs are made of Drano and tinfoil mixed together in a plastic bottle that is then sealed. Pressure builds up inside the bottle until it explodes. The chemicals inside become a boiling liquid that can cause severe burns and other serious physical injuries.

The bombs are not hard to make and numerous videos of homemade bombs are posted on YouTube.

If a suspected bottle bomb is found, you should move away from it and call 9-1-1 immediately.

The Le Roy Police Department advises that anyone found making these explosives may face criminal charges.

To report information about the possible manufacture of bottle bombs, call 343-5000.

Skinny-dipping again in the Oatka Creek

By Billie Owens

Apparently, Le Roy police just received a call about nude swimming in the Oatka Creek off Mill Street.

It's a complaint heard before, most recently about a month ago, according to one officer who spoke to another one about the matter over the scanner.

"I've heard it before but haven't personally seen it," the officer tells his coworker.

"Did the previous complaint involve 12- to 14-year-olds and a 16-year-old?"

At that point, the officers opted to discuss the details over the phone.

Woodward's Bookworms

By Trisha Riggi

Thursday, Oct. 27, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Bookworms is designed for readers in grades 4-6. Ghost Stories! Read a ghost story or something spooky and discuss it with the group. Enjoy snacks. New members are ALWAYS welcome! Register by calling 585-768-8300 or online at www.woodwardmemoriallibrary.org

Event Date and Time
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Decorate a Birdhouse at Woodward Memorial Library

By Trisha Riggi

Tuesday, April 16, 2013, 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. Grades 1-3.

Create a decorative birdhouse. These small wooden birdhouses will look beautiful hanging in a window, garden or patio.

Registration is required and limited to 20 children.

Visit online at www.woodwardmemoriallibrary.org

or call 585-768-8330 to register!

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WML Movie Night - "American Sniper" - pre-registration required

By Trisha Riggi

Wednesday, May 20 starting at 6:00 p.m. Watch American Sniper with Bradley Cooper. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle's pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and turns him into a legend. Back home to his wife and kids after four tours of duty, however, Chris finds that it is the war he can't leave behind.

The movie is shown in our community room on the BIG screen with surround sound. Free popcorn is available. Rated R, 134 min.

Registration is required.

Visit online at www.woodwardmemoriallibrary.org

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